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Carthage (TX) vs. West Orange-Stark (TX): Live updates, score of Texas UIL 4A Division II title contest

Buck Ringgold

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Carthage (TX) vs. West Orange-Stark (TX): Live updates, score of Texas UIL 4A Division II title contest image

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Perhaps the best high school program at any level in Texas this century has been in the East Texas town of Carthage.

Since 2008, the Bulldogs have accumulated 10 state championships, all under head coach Scott Surratt.

Friday afternoon at AT&T Stadium, the Bulldogs can add another trophy to their recent legacy of success as they take on upstart West Orange-Stark for the University Interscholastic League 4A Division II championship.

LIVE STREAM: Victory+ (Victory Plus) will stream for free all 12 UIL state championship games.

Carthage has gone a perfect 10-for-10 in state title game appearances under Surratt. After he won the program’s first title in 2008, they won again in 2009 and in 2010. The Bulldogs also won in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024.

Should the Bulldogs prevail again Friday, it may be even more special for Surratt because it is the final game he will get to coach his son, senior quarterback Jett Surratt, who already has two title rings.

Carthage also has an outstanding senior class. Along with Jett Surratt, other notable players include tailback and Texas A&M signee KJ Edwards, linebacker and fellow Texas A&M signee Qui Beck and tailback Benny Smith.

Perhaps to no one’s surprise, Carthage comes in a perfect 15-0. Only one team has gotten within single digits of the Bulldogs, when Athens fell 61-56 in a memorable regular-season shootout, although in a rematch for the regional championship, Carthage rolled to a 63-28 win before upending previously undefeated Brock, 49-21, in the semifinals.

West Orange-Stark is a decided underdog in this matchup, but the Mustangs have some tradition of their own. This is their ninth appearance in a title game, and they are seeking to win their fifth championship alongside titles won in 1986, 1987, 2015 and 2016.

The Mustangs were 2-3 at one point in the season before reeling off 10 straight wins to get to “Jerry World.” WOS won all five of its playoff games by double digits, including a 28-3 triumph against Sinton in last week’s semifinal round.

But can WOS pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent UIL state title game history, or will it be a Carthage coronation?

Follow AllSportsPeople correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Arlington.

Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.

CARTHAGE 14, WEST ORANGE-STARK 0 2ND QTR.

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SECOND QUARTER

- TOUCHDOWN CARTHAGE. KJ Edwards with his second score on the day, darting in from 11 yards out. He now has 131 yards on nine carries with his two TDs. (Carthage, 14-0 | 3:57, 2nd)

Texas A&M signee KJ Edwards with the 11-yard touchdown run. Carthage 14, West Orange-Stark 0, 3:57 left in second quarter. @KJEdwards2026 @RyanSilapan pic.twitter.com/mjrinVOU7T
— Brandon Ogden (@BrandonOSports) December 19, 2025

- KJ Edwards converts on a third-down run to the WOS 11, and Carthage is knocking at the door with a first down. Mustangs take a time out with 4:02 remaining in the half.

- Carthage goes for it on fourth down, and a pass falls incomplete. But WOS is flagged for pass interference, and the Bulldogs have it at the Mustangs' 35 nearing the halfway point of the quarter.

- Punt lands at the Carthage 49, and we have come to a media time out with 8:52 left in the opening half.

- Carthage appeared to have forced a turnover when Senior standout linebacker Qui Beck forces a fumble and teammate Carson Crawford comes up with the ball. The replay overturned it, but the Bulldogs will still get the ball back because that was a third down play, and WOS will punt it away.

- Carthage gets down to the 1, but a false start penalty moved the Bulldogs backward. They go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 4, but are unable to convert on a double-pass attempt, and it goes incomplete. WOS holds a minute into the quarter.

- In the first quarter, Carthage had 167 total yards of offense, while WOS had 56 total yards, all on the ground. KJ Edwards with 114 yards on six carries and the game's lone TD so far.

FIRST QUARTER

- Carthage with a first-and-goal at the 5 and KJ Edwards nearly gets his second TD, but is stopped by a host of WOS defenders a yard short as the opening quarter comes to an end.

- Carthage goes for it on fourth down at the WOS 35, and QB Jett Surratt with a quick strike to receiver Bryston Price, who goes 16 yards to the Mustang 19 late in the period.

- WOS goes for it on fourth-and-6 at the Carthage 17. QB Kwalin Dugas runs a keeper to the right side and almost gets to the sticks, but he's brought down by Carthage LB Zakarian Pearley. Bulldogs hold and take over with 5:33 left in the period.

- WOS running back Khelvy Jefferson getting a heavy workload already with seven carries for 49 yards, and the Mustangs have the ball near the Carthage 25 on their opening drive.

- TOUCHDOWN CARTHAGE. Just two plays in, KJ Edwards gets the toss, finds an opening and THEY'RE NOT GONNA GET HIM. Edwards, the Texas A&M signee, takes it 87 yards to the house and the Bulldogs have the lead just 30 seconds in. (Carthage, 7-0 | 11:30, 1st)

Welcome to the KJ Edwards show

The Aggie signee is already on the board here at #UILState

Carthage up 7-0 with 11:30 left in the 1st @KJEdwards2026 | @TA_Recruiting #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/m6bCarX9RA
— Cade Draughon (@Cade_Draughon) December 19, 2025

- Carthage has the ball at the 13 following the opening kickoff and subsequent return.

PREGAME

- Carthage wins the toss and they want the ball to start the game.

- Carthage is the visiting team and is in all white. WOS in silver helmets, blue jerseys and blue pants as the home team.

- Live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, undefeated Carthage takes on a West Orange-Stark squad seeking to pull off the upset as we get set for the UIL 4A Division II championship game.

Scott Surratt and the Carthage Bulldogs on the hunt for state championship #11, facing West Orange Stark this afternoon #TXHSFB

Highlights & more on @KtalSports @NBC6News later tonight! @carthagedawgs pic.twitter.com/MfixezbOkG
— Kylee Corman (@KyleeCorman) December 19, 2025